Port of Hamilton to expand steel handling capacity

The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) is welcoming funding from the federal government to relieve supply chain congestion at the Port of Hamilton.

Almost $4.9 million in funding is being made available under the National Trade Corridors Fund for the Building Capacity in Canada’s Steel Supply Chain project.

“As the largest port in Ontario, the Port of Hamilton is the key supply chain gateway for steel and other essential goods that feed the region’s economy,” says Ian Hamilton, HOPA president and CEO. “This investment will help to ensure a reliable supply of steel necessary for residential and civil construction projects and for Ontario manufacturers.”

The contribution is part of a $9.8 million HOPA-led project to enhance the transfer of steel products between various transportation modes at the port. The project includes the construction of a new, 20,000-square-metre rail transload facility at Pier 15, designed specifically for the handling of steel products.

By creating new interconnections between marine, rail and road, this project will increase the efficiency and the resiliency of the supply chain in the region for the construction and manufacturing sectors. When completed, the facility will add more than 100,000 tonnes of new steel handling capacity at the Port of Hamilton and enable a shift in trade flows from truck to rail, reducing carbon emissions associated with long-distance truck transportation of steel products.

“The Port of Hamilton plays an integral role in driving the economic growth of our city and of our entire region. This investment will help ensure efficient trade, long-term stability for our local businesses and help increase the efficiency of both our national and local supply chains,” said Lisa Hepfner member of parliament for Hamilton Mountain.

The Port of Hamilton is critical to Canada’s steel industry, supporting key local and Ontario businesses such as automotive, construction, furniture and appliances and pre-engineered buildings. The port handles more inbound finished steel than any other gateway in Ontario, and these volumes are rising.

HOPA’s facilities are on more than 1,000 acres and include more than 140 tenant companies.